OKLAHOMA CITY – Lawmakers don’t want cursive handwriting to become a cryptic code to future readers.
A measure sent to Governor Kevin Stitt’s desk last week, House Bill 3727, would require students from the third through fifth grades to receive instruction in cursive handwriting. The bill was written by Rep. Jason Lowe (D-Oklahoma City), the Minority Ca ucus Secretary.
If approved by Stitt, the act would become effective July 1 and would be in place by the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Each school district and charter school in the state will be required to include instruction in cursive handwriting and reading in their curriculum for the specified grade levels.
“Even though children are learning keyboarding from an early age, there is still a need for instruction in cursive handwriting,” said Sen. Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa), co-sponsor of the bill. “Research tells us it can improve children’s motor skills, improve neural connections, and encourage faster writing speed. It reinforces learning and can enhance intelligence.”
The Senate press release also noted additional benefits of learning cursive writing pointed out by Rep. Lowe. Those benefits include improved grammar and spelling, but it will also help children to read historical and primary source documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, he said.
The bill passed the state House in March and the state Senate in April.